I consider it a great honour and pleasure to celebrate His Excellency, the immediate past Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the momentous and auspicious occasion of his 49th birthday.
Your Excellency, I celebrate you most profoundly for the exemplary life you have continued to live and for the legacy of courage, compassion, generosity and forthrightness you have bequeathed as Governor of our dear State.
I also celebrate you for the huge trust you bestowed on me through the rare privilege to provide leadership for Kogi State Polytechnic, in spite of all admonitions from naysayers.
I cannot celebrate you enough for the unconditional trust you have given to me, and for the love you have shown me and members of my family at our hours of needs.
I celebrate you for the invaluable support that I have enjoyed from you, which has made the task of leadership seamless for me.
Sir, by following your leadership vision and footprints, we have been able to transform Kogi State Polytechnic into an institution of national and international preeminence.
I celebrate you because as Governor, you touched and positively transformed inestimable number of young people who were hitherto neglected into national and international icons.
I also celebrate you for the insight, wisdom and thoughtfulness that has produced a worthy successor and touch bearer of your untainted legacy, in the person of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Sir, even in the wake of the current distraction and from detractors, I am strongly optimistic that the chapters ahead of will provide more positive reference for you in terms of leadership accomplishments on the national and international stage.
If a man who was once in prison could become a Nigerian President, if a man who was once in exile could be elected President of our nation, then the current distraction is a lull on your steps to iconic reference in our national life.
On this occasion of your 49th birthday, myself, my family and well-wishers rejoice with you and pray that God continues to protect and guide you to do more in the service of humanity.
Once again, Your Excellency, hearty felicitations on your 49th birthday.
Chief Salisu Ogbo Usman, PhD
Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
